PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A mistrial was announced Monday for accused road rage shooter Geoffrey Edward Hammond, who was accused of shooting and killing one man, then wounding another in downtown Portland in October 2023.
According to the Multnomah County Court, Hammond was found guilty of assault and unlawful use of a weapon, but the jury found a mistrial on charges of murder and attempted murder after Hammond claimed self-defense.
On Oct. 9, Hammond was partially blocking traffic at an intersection outside the Moxy Hotel on SW Alder Street, when Ryan Martin came up behind his car, according to court documents.
The pair flipped each other off and Martin swerved around Hammond’s car, stopping his car on the other side of the intersection. He then got out to confront Hammond, the documents said.
The documents further state that, as Martin approached, Hammond loaded a firearm and shot him in the chest. Martin fell to the ground and begged saying, “I’m sorry, I had a bad day,” before Hammond allegedly attempted to shoot Martin again, but his gun malfunctioned.
Witnesses reported seeing Hammond flash what looked like a police badge at Martin and attempting to fix his gun while saying, “You are lucky I didn’t shoot you in the heart.” Hammond later admitted that he had probably said, “You are lucky I didn’t shoot you in the head,” according to the documents.
Video of the incident showed more than a minute passed with Martin on the ground while Hammond was trying to get his gun to work.
At that point, Sam Gomez exited the Moxy Hotel, saw Martin and began recording the incident on his phone. The documents say this is when Hammond pointed his gun and fired at Gomez.
Gomez attempted to run, but the bullet went through one of his legs and lodged into the femur of his other leg. He was later hospitalized for his injuries. Meanwhile, officials said Martin died at the scene.
After the incident, Hammond called 911 while driving away from the scene. On the call, Hammond is said to have openly admitted to shooting both men. He later drove to the top floor of a parking garage next to the courthouse where he turned himself in.
During interviews, the documents allege Hammond admitted to shooting both men and acknowledged that he knew Martin was unarmed. He additionally disclosed he had planned on shooting Martin a second time before the gun malfunctioned.
He also said that he shot Gomez because he thought that Gomez may have been planning to ambush him, which he recognized as a military tactic.
No weapons were recovered from either victim after the incident.
Hammond previously pleaded not guilty on all charges before he was given his verdict on Monday. He will be sentenced on Jan. 8, 2025.
